# NTSB ERA24LA059: Cessna 172, N906KS, Zephyrhills, FL, December 7, 2023 - Type: NTSB accident investigation - Classification: Accident · Serious injuries · Class 3 · Limited · Final report - Date: December 7, 2023, 12:48 local (17:48 UTC) - Place: Zephyrhills, FL - Coordinates: 28.234277, -82.156168 - Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=28.2343&lon=-82.1562&mi=10 - Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping) - Defining event: [Initial climb: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) - Highest injury: Serious injuries - Injuries: 2 serious - Status: Completed - Report: Approved by Office Director - Investigation class: Class 3 - NTSB office: Eastern Region Aviation - Parties: FAA/FSDO - NTSB case key (mKey): 193495 - NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=ERA24LA059 - NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/193495/pdf - NTSB docket: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193495 - Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/ERA24LA059 ## Probable cause An aerodynamic stall from which the pilots did not recover while maneuvering in the airport traffic pattern. ## Findings NTSB's coded findings; those marked are part of the probable cause. - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Student/instructed pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 150 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) - [Performance/control parameters: angle of attack](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042): Aircraft › Aircraft oper/perf/capability · Capability exceeded (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 13 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 990 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/01062042/cases.md) - [Use of equip/info: aircraft control](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040): Personnel issues › Task performance · Instructor/check pilot (probable cause); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 150 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 9,295 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-findings/02063040/cases.md) ## Sequence of events The events NTSB coded, in order, by phase of flight. The defining event best describes what happened. - [Initial climb: Aerodynamic stall/spin](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241) (defining event); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 21 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 1,529 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/241/sequence.md) - [Uncontrolled descent: Collision with terr/obj (non-CFIT) ](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470); cases with it: [Cessna 172N, 134 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md?model=2072434), [All aircraft, 10,189 cases](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-events/470/sequence.md) ## Analysis A student pilot was practicing touch-and-go landings with his flight instructor. An airport surveillance video showed the airplane flying about 50 ft above ground level in a nose high, left wing low attitude. The left bank continued to steepen, the airplane’s nose pitched downward, and the airplane began descending steeply toward the ground in a manner consistent with the airplane entering an aerodynamic stall. Due to their injuries, the student pilot could not recall what occurred during the third touch-and-go landing, while the flight instructor was unable to provide any recollection of the flight. Examination of the airplane did not reveal evidence of any preimpact anomalies that would have precluded normal operation of the airplane. Based on the available information, it is likely that the airplane encountered an aerodynamic stall from which the pilots did not recover while maneuvering in the airport traffic pattern. ## Factual narrative On December 7, 2023, about 1248 eastern standard time, a Cessna 172N, N906KS, was substantially damaged when it was involved in accident near Zephyrhills, Florida. The flight instructor and student pilot were seriously injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 instructional flight. According to the student pilot, he had about 11 hours of total flight experience. He stated that he and the flight instructor flew from Lakeland Linder International Airport (LAL), Lakeland, Florida, to Zephyrhills Municipal Airport (ZPH), Zephyrhills, Florida, to practice some touch-and-go landings on runway 5. The flight instructor demonstrated the first touch-and-go landing. The student pilot recalled performing the second touch-and-go landing but did not remember what occurred during the third touch-and-go landing. He recalled waking up in the hospital. Due to his injuries, the flight instructor was unable to provide a statement. An airport surveillance video showed the airplane flying about 50 ft above ground level in a nose high, left wing low attitude. The left bank continued to steepen, the airplane’s nose pitched downward, and the airplane began descending steeply toward the ground. Initial examination of the wreckage by a Federal Aviation Administration inspector revealed that it came to rest on the left side of runway 5. The left wing and engine mounts sustained substantial damage. The airplane was subsequently examined after it was recovered from the accident site. Continuity of the flight control cables was traced through separations that were consistent with overload or cuts that were made by recovery personnel to facilitate transportation of the wreckage. All of the primary flight controls were free to move by hand, and felt smooth through those movements. The top spark plugs of the engine were removed and the propeller was rotated by hand; thumb compression was established on all cylinders. Engine powertrain and valvetrain continuity were verified to the rear accessory section of the engine. Both magnetos produced spark on all leads when their input drives were rotated by an electric drill. The carburetor was opened for examination; it was clean and clear of debris. No anomalies were noted with either the airframe or engine that would have precluded normal operation. ## Aircraft - Registration: [N906KS](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N906KS), registered now, S/N 17272697, built 1979 (OpenAirDocs) - Reported make and model: CESSNA 172 (N) - Registry model: [Cessna 172N](https://openairdocs.org/model/cessna-172n) (registry code 2072434) (OpenAirDocs) - Registry engine: [Lycoming 0-320 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0-320-series) (registry code 41508, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs) - Category: Airplane - Serial number: 17272697 - Year built: 1979 - Airframe hours: 9883 - Engines: Lycoming O-360-A4M reciprocating - Damage: Substantial damage - Flight: Instructional, Part 91 - Registered owner: Kingsky Flight Academy LLC - Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal - Last inspection: 100 hour, November 10, 2023 - Destination: LAL, Lakeland, FL - Airport: ZPH, Zephyrhills Muni, runway 05, 5,001 × 100 ft, asphalt - Equipment: Electronic multifunction display, Electronic flight bag or handheld device, ADS-B, Stall warning system ## Flight crew As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names. - Flight instructor; age 33; injuries: serious; flight instructor; airplane ratings: single-engine land, multi-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 1, with waivers/limitations; last flight review August 24, 2023; seat: right; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 500 total - Student pilot; age 22; injuries: serious; medical: class 1, without waivers/limitations; seat: left; restraint: 3-point; flight hours: 11.3 total, 11.3 in this make and model ## Weather - Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day - Wind: 70° at 3 knots - Visibility: 10 statute miles - Lowest ceiling: none - Temperature: 68 °F, dew point 46 °F - Altimeter: 30.21 inHg - Icing: Clear - Observed at: ZPH ## FAA reports on this event (1) The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs). - [Accident 20231207017049A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/20231207017049A), Dec 7, 2023: Cessna 172N, Zephyrhills, FL, Substantial damage. Video obtained from the Zephyrhills, FL city clerks office showing surveillance of the fueling facility at the Zephyrhills airport shows the accident aircraft… ## Docket (6 files) The files NTSB released with the investigation on September 18, 2024, on NTSB's docket system: https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket?ProjectID=193495. 1.9 GB in all. - Pilot/operator aircraft accident report, NTSB form 6120.1 (item 1, PDF, 11 pages, 4.7 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16673764&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=6120_Redacted-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� telephone interview, student pilot (item 2, PDF, 1 page, 82 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16672866&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memo%20for%20record-student%20pilot-Rel.pdf - Memorandum for record a�� telephone interview, flight instructor (item 3, PDF, 1 page, 81 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17588687&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Memo%20for%20record-flight%20instructor-Rel.pdf - Video file (item 4, MP4, 1.8 GB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=16683716&FileExtension=mp4&FileName=Fuel%20tank_S20231207115959_E20231207130000-Rel.mp4 - Investigative photographs (item 5, PDF, 4 pages, 1.6 MB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17579300&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Investigative%20Photo%27s-Rel.pdf - Wreckage examination summary (item 6, PDF, 6 pages, 721 KB): https://data.ntsb.gov/Docket/Document/docBLOB?ID=17589584&FileExtension=pdf&FileName=Wreckage%20Examination%20Summary-Rel.pdf From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model. --- OpenAirDocs.org is an independent research project of [Contrail Labs](https://contraillabs.com/). It is not affiliated with the FAA or the NTSB. Source documents are U.S. government works in the public domain.